Earlier this year, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez received pushback for her commentary during a congressional hearing before the House Oversight Committee regarding criminal allegations brought against President Joe Biden amid Republican-led investigations. During the hearing, a former business associate of Hunter Biden’s, Tony Bobulinski, claimed he had observed the president commit crimes that would fall under the “Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations” (RICO) Act.
However, AOC pushed back on this assertion from Bobulinski, suggesting that RICO did not constitute a crime, and was simply a category. “Mr. Bobulinski, I heard your opening statement. It submitted to the record part of our proceedings. I have a quick question, simple, is it your testimony today that you personally witnessed President Joe Biden commit a crime,” she began.
“I believe the fact that he was sitting with me while I was putting together,” Bobulinski started before AOC cut him off. The congresswoman exclaimed, “Did you witness the President commit a crime? Is it your testimony today?” Bobulinski affirmed, “Yes.” AOC followed up, “And what crime have you witnessed?” The former business associate, said, “How much time do I have to go through?”
Becoming increasingly frustrated with Bobulinski AOC said, “It is simple. You name the crime. Did you watch him steal something?” Getting directly to the point, Bobulinski fired off, “Corruption, statutes, RICO.” Ocasio-Cortez interjected, “What is it? What is what is the crime, sir? Specifically.” Growing tired of being interrupted by the progressive “Squad” member, he continued, “You keep interrupting…You asked me to answer the question. I answered the question…RICO you’re obviously not familiar with corruption statutes…”
With the exchange becoming increasingly tense, AOC doubled down, :Excuse me, sir. Excuse me, sir. Excuse me, sir. Rico is not a crime. It is a category. What is the crime.” Bobulinski fired back, “RICO is a category of crime that you’re then charged under, a long, hundreds list of statutes.” AOC and Bobulisnki continued to squabble and talk over each other for the remainder of the clip.
The footage quickly circulated throughout social media, garnering reactions from conservatives who think accused AOC of “dishonest sophistry” in attempt to draw attention away from the accusations brought forth against the Biden family. Conservative legal activist Tom Fitton wrote, “Fact check: @AOC is engaged in dishonest sophistry to distract from Biden family crimes.”
Others cited the exact legal code to defend Bobulinski. The House Oversight Committee wrote on X, “Rep. AOC asks Tony Bobulinski to list the crimes he witnessed Joe Biden commit. Tony Bobulinski lists the crimes: corruption statutes, RICO, conspiracy, FARA. AOC then says RICO is not a crime.🤦 (HINT: RICO is a federal law codified at 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-68)”
However, there were some who defended AOC’s point, dismissing the fact that Bobulinski was referring to crimes that would fall under the description of RICO. “RICO is not a crime. It’s a statute used to prosecute certain racketeering crimes and getting higher penalties. “Corruption” is not a crime. “Conspiracy” is not a crime. Conspiracy to do what? FARA isn’t a crime. It’s a process,” one person wrote.
Watch AOC and Bobulinski below:
Note: The featured image is a screenshot from the embedded video.
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